Sappi Saiccor Mill

Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa

Saiccor Mill

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COMMUNITYā€Æ

relying on us for their livelihood

WORKFORCEā€Æ

Highly skilled and motivated employees

PRODUCTION

tons

dissolving wood pulp (DWP) annually

Saiccor Mill has been a pillar of innovation since its establishment in 1951 and takes pride in producing a product of unparalleled purity, reaching clients across the globe. Our dissolving wood pulp is the cornerstone of industries such as textiles, food, and pharmaceuticals, and powers our iconic product brand, Verve.

Job opportunities

We work hard to attract, retain and develop people who are committed to delivering excellent work and being the best they can possibly be.ā€Æ

Weā€™re looking for passionate, driven individuals who are ready to make an impact. At Sappi Saiccor, we thrive on innovation, ambition, and continuous growthā€”offering dynamic opportunities in a fast-evolving industry. If youā€™re up for the challenge, weā€™ll back you with training, career development, and great benefits to help you succeed. Letā€™s build the future together!ā€Æ

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There are currently no job opportunities available at this time.

About Saiccor Mill

Acquired by Sappi in 1989, Saiccor Mill, located in Umkomaas on the scenic south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, is a vital part of the eThekwini Municipality and lies just 50 km south of Durban. This acquisition marked Sappi's pioneering step into the global dissolving wood pulp (DWP) market.

Today, Saiccor Mill proudly holds the title of the worldā€™s largest Acid Sulphide dissolving wood pulp mill, renowned for producing exceptionally pure products.

An impressive 95% of our dissolving wood pulp is exported worldwide, serving key industries such as textiles, food, and pharmaceuticals. Our flagship product brand, Verve, fuels innovation in fashion as the driving force behind viscose fabricā€”a popular choice in sustainable and versatile apparel.

Our Services

In the Dissolving Wood Pulp Centre of Excellence (COE) we provide product application and technical support to Sappiā€™s Verve customers by ensuring that the Verve product specifications for each customer are tailored to be fit for purpose, by acting as the primary technical point of contact for our customers, by assisting our customers to optimise the use of Sappi Verve in their processes and by partnering with customers to solve problems and develop new opportunities. The COE also serves as an innovation centre for Verve, undertaking product development projects and more fundamental research work that enhances the quality, sustainability and range of Verve products and applications. Finally, the COE partners with Sappiā€™s three Verve mills to ensure that the quality and reactivity of Sappi Verve continues to meet the needs of our customers

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Empowering our community

Our community isnā€™t just where we operateā€”itā€™s home to many of our employees and the heart of our business. At Saiccor Mill, weā€™re committed to making a real impact through initiatives like our Community Skills Centre. This dynamic learning hub equips both local community members and Sappi employees with technical and vocational skills, opening doors to sustainable businesses and meaningful careers. Together, weā€™re building a stronger, more skilled future.

More about the mill

    In 2022, the mill completed a significant expansion and environmental upgrade, marking a milestone in both production and sustainability. Key advancements included the installation of a state-of-the-art recovery boiler and a shift from a calcium-based process to an innovative magnesium closed-loop recovery system. These upgrades have dramatically reduced the mill's environmental footprint by lowering fossil fuel energy demands and boosting the use of renewable energy.

    But we didnā€™t stop thereā€”our commitment to sustainability continues with groundbreaking innovations to reclaim and reuse lignin, a vital component of wood fibre. By better harnessing our energy resources, weā€™re further enhancing the mill's efficiency and reducing its environmental impact.

    Saiccor Mill produces elemental chlorine-free (ECF) dissolving pulp (DP) under the globally recognized Verve brand. With an impressive annual capacity of 1.5 million tons and a 15% share of the global DP market, Sappi has solidified its position as a major player in this industry.

    A significant portion of the DP produced at Saiccor Mill is exported worldwide, catering to the rayon market, including Viscose Staple Fibres (VSF) and Lyocell (solvent-spun fibres) used in textiles. Notably, Sappi meets two-thirds of the global demand for Lyocell, the revolutionary 3rd generation cellulosic fibre, often hailed as the fibre of the future.

    Verve stands out as a truly sustainable product. Unlike synthetic alternatives, its raw material is derived from a natural, renewable resourceā€”eucalyptus hardwoods. These fast-growing trees are cultivated near the mill, bolstering its competitive edge in DP production while ensuring minimal environmental impact.

    With expertise and advanced technology, Sappiā€™s dissolving pulp is a vital component in various applications, from textiles to pharmaceuticals and even food products, meeting diverse global market needs with excellence and innovation.

    Our community isnā€™t just where we workā€”itā€™s where we live, and it forms the heart of our business. At Saiccor Mill, we are passionate about creating real, lasting impact through initiatives like our Community Skills Centre. This vibrant learning hub provides both local residents and Sappi employees with technical and vocational training, paving the way to sustainable businesses and meaningful career opportunities.

    We actively partner with community forums to drive positive social change. Our efforts include creating employment opportunities, supporting small businesses through our Enterprise Supplier Development programme, fostering skills development, uplifting youth, and collaborating with local NGOs on various initiatives. Together, weā€™re building a stronger, more capable future for everyone.

    Our timber supply is sourced from a combination of our own certified plantations and other trusted suppliers. Notably, about 80% of the timber from Sappi Khulisaā€”our Enterprise Supplier Development programmeā€”supports the operations at Saiccor Mill, demonstrating the strong link between our business and community success.

    At Sappi Saiccor, we believe in attracting and supporting talented individuals who are passionate about achieving their best. Weā€™re looking for driven, dedicated people ready to make a difference and grow with us. Join a company that values innovation, ambition, and continuous learning. We offer exciting opportunities in a fast-changing industry, backed by comprehensive training, career development, and great benefits to help you thrive.

    Here, you'll be part of a close-knit team that feels like familyā€”reflecting the warmth and values of the South Coast community. Together, weā€™ll build a brighter future for you, our company, and our world.

    Caring for the environment

    The Saiccor Vulindlela Upgrade and Expansion Project, completed in 2022, is aimed at increasing global competitiveness, accelerating shareholder value and driving positive social impact by:

    The upgrade expanded production by 110,000 tpa (tons per annum) ā€“ from 780,000 tpa to 890,000 tpa

    Best available technology (BAT) improvements have led to substantial environmental benefits: reducing COā‚‚, and SOā‚‚ emissions ; improving specific water use efficiency and reducing waste to landfill from coal ash.

    The project is helping us to achieve our target of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and is central to our decarbonisation plans and our approved Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to reduce scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions.

    Certifications for Saiccor Mill

    Our certifications ensure that our performance is monitored and that our operations comply with global best practice across a range of environmental, safety and quality topics.

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